This is the annual report for CottonTails, registered charity, detailing how the charity performed during the previous year.
CottonTails® Rabbit and Guinea Pig Rescue Annual Report 2024
Charity Number 1078850, Established in 1993
Main Name: CottonTails®
Working Name: CottonTails® Rescue
Charitable Objects: To relieve the suffering of rabbits and other animals who are in need of care and attention in particular by providing and maintaining suitable accommodation for the reception and care of unwanted rabbits and other animals.
To advance the education of the public in the care and ownership of animals.
General
CottonTails® has continued with the Direct Rehoming Service throughout 2024, and it continues to successfully fulfil our aims. This service utilises our website and Facebook pages to place rabbits and guinea pigs into suitable new homes efficiently, and whilst the service is free, some satisfied owners donate to CottonTails® in gratitude for our services.
We have also continued with the neutering grant scheme. The new owner of any unneutered rabbit or single male guinea pig adopted through the Direct Rehoming Service was offered a £60 grant towards neutering and £40 towards vaccination, payable to the veterinary practice used.
The advantage of animals being rehomed directly from their owners is self-evident – enabling assistance to every animal rehome enquiry without having to address accommodation limitations. Most rabbits and guinea pigs were successfully placed in suitable new homes within a month.
I continue to respond to many emails and messages daily regarding advice about rabbit and guinea pig welfare, and the claw clipping, grooming and general check-up services are well used. Email was the more popular contact method; 59% of owners contacted via email to rehome their rabbits, and 79% of guinea pig owners chose this method to rehome their pets.
We are very pleased to be joining forces with Bristol Animal Rescue Centre (Bristol A.R.C.) to improve rabbit welfare in Bristol and the surrounding area. We will be providing funding to Bristol A.R.C. to cover the cost of neutering rabbits through Bristol A.R.C.’s outreach services. Eligible rabbit owners seeking support with neutering and vaccinating their rabbits can find out more on Bristol A.R.C.’s website here: Outreach Clinics
Rabbits
During 2024, 63 rabbits were rehomed, a decrease of 36% compared to 2023.
Sexes
Of our total “intake”, 57% were male, and 43% female. This is almost identical to the figures found in 2023.
Breeds
Of the rabbits rehomed during 2024, 57% were upright-eared, and 43% were lopped. This may indicate a trend in the popularity of the lop-eared rabbit, as generally the upright-eared rabbits have a higher intake compared to lops. Upright-eared rabbits included dwarfs, lionheads, rexes and crossbred rabbits. Lionheads frequently comprise over half of the upright-eared category.
Age
For the second year running since we started in 1993, the age category with the highest intake was 3 years or more (43%). Next was 42% for 1-3 years, and 15% under 1 year old. The youngest rabbit rehomed was 19 weeks, the oldest was 8 years. It is possible that those owners who have had their rabbits for some time are more likely to be willing to wait to find the right home through the Direct Rehome Service, whereas people who only recently owned the rabbit want it to be taken off their hands immediately and would not therefore want to use the service.
Neutering Status
Unusually, the large majority of rabbits rehomed by the Direct Rehoming Service were already neutered (76%). This likely fits in with the type of owner that uses the Direct Rehome Service, willing to wait to find the right home and motivated to ensure their pet has the best of care. CottonTails® offered a grant towards the neutering of every rabbit rehomed through the service, payable to the vet, and many owners accepted this offer, often stating that this was a big factor in deciding whether to adopt the rabbit.
Pairs versus Singles
Most of the rabbits rehomed were already in bonded pairs (67%), compared to 33% as singles. Again, this may well be explained by the type of owner using the service who may be more aware of the importance of most rabbits to having company.
Guinea Pigs
During 2023, 67 guinea pigs were rehomed, the same as in 2023. We also rehomed one chinchilla.
Sexes
Unusually there were significantly more female guinea pigs in our intake compared to males, with 63% females compared to 27% males.
Breeds
As in previous years, the majority (90%) of guinea pigs for rehoming were short-haired, the remaining 10% being either long-haired or semi-long-haired. This may reflect the preference of owners not wanting to take on a long-haired pet that is perceived (rightly) to be more challenging to keep clean and healthy, and undoubtedly also influences the decision of an owner to put their pet up for adoption.
Age
In common with previous years, most guinea pigs put up for adoption were aged between 1-3 years (59%). 18% were under 1 year and 23% over 3 years old. The youngest guinea pig requiring rehoming was 2 weeks old, and the oldest was 8 years old.
Pairs versus Singles
Almost all of the guinea pigs rehomed in 2024 were listed as pairs or groups (97%), with only 3% being singles.
Accounts
Receipts
Total income for 2024 was £4754. PayPal and Direct Bank Payments comprised the majority of the income at 63%.
Several individuals and organisations have been invaluable to the continuation of CottonTails® financially. I would like to give a very big thank you to each one who helped even in a small way, and my sincere apologies if I have accidentally omitted anyone from the list.
Organisations/groups:
ANIMAL AFFAIRS £400
CHARITIES TRUST £60
GIVE AS YOU LIVE £18.34
Individuals (no particular order)
Jane Merrick
John Farrell
M Loughlin
James Arrowsmith-Brown
Helen Stobart
Jill Derrick
Stephanie Taylor
Elizabeth Williams
Caitlin Cotter
Marie Wood
Amanda Humble
Sheila Tatlock
Tessa Roberts
Peter Martin
J Holmes
Lesley Smith
Barbara Coe
H Lambert and B Moth
Christine Muddiman
Charlotte Smallbone
Debi Barry
Petra Lawson
Adam Taylor
Thomas Thwaites
Jennifer Baxter
Shirley Gunter
Payments
The total expenditure for 2024 was £12,464, with individual category values represented in the chart above as a percentage of total expenditure.
Total Income £4754
Total Expenditure £12,464
Loss at end of 2024 = £7709
Our bank account remains healthy and will see us through the next year comfortably.
Acknowledgements
CottonTails® could not continue its valuable work if it was not for the excellent support from some wonderful people who have given help in various ways. Sincere apologies for any omissions:
The Trustees for their continued support.
Francis for tolerating the inconvenience of living with an animal charity in the home.
Jon Humphrey (of “Random Precision”) for his support with issues relating to the website.
My sons Fraser and Ben for providing essential holiday cover.
You, our loyal friends, for continuing to support the charity financially and in other practical ways.